Riders will carry a leather mochila filled with mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, in a 10-day relay that begins in mid-June 2026. More than 600 participants will cover the historic route across eight states, changing horses at stations along the way. The event is free to observe at many points and runs continuously, day and night.
The National Pony Express Association organizes the ride to honor the original 1860 service. Spectators can watch arrivals and departures at designated stops without cost. The mail pouch itself never stops moving during the journey, mirroring the nonstop pace of the 19th-century operation.